Proprietary container



w. G. PANCOAST PROPRIETARY CONTAINER March 14, 1939. I

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 14,. 1937 ME C7 77% 0km 63/700051.

March 14, 1939. G. PANCOAST PROPRIETARY CONTAI NER Filed July 14, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 14, 1939 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFIQE PROPRIETARY CONTAINER William G. Pancoast, Winnetka, 111.

Application July 14, 1937, Serial No. 153,485

2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in a proprietary container, and more particularly to a proprietary container of the type which is provided with a suitable stopper construction to 5 prevent refilling of the container, although the invention may have other uses and purposes as will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

The present invention is highly desirable for use in containers for liquid products of the character commonly dispensed in small or measured quantities until the container is ultimately emptied. For example, in tap rooms, beauty parlors and other places wherein the contents of a container are frequently sold a small quantity at a time, it is highly desirable to effectively prevent use of the container after it once becomes empty, and so eliminate the probability of the container being refilled with a substitute product.

I am aware that in the past many and various types of devices have been provided to render a liquid container non-refillable, but in every instance of which I am aware these devices have been subject to the objection that they only solved the problem of avoiding refilling when an endeavor was made to refill them in the normal way in which a container is usually filled. By some way other than setting the container upright and pouring liquid in the mouth thereof, these formerly known devices could be supplied with a goodly quantity of liquid. In the event a container could not feasibly be completely filled, nevertheless a sufiicient quantity of liquid could be put in the container to deceive an ordinary purchaser of a small quantity. This could be accomplished without any visible trace on the stopper construction, so that an inspection other than by way of analysis of the contents, which is usually impractical, would not reveal that the container had been refilled.

Frequently, many of these allegedly nonrefillable containers could actually be refilled by placing a tacky substance, such as beeswax, on the end of a stick and holding the valve or the equivalent elevated; by holding the bottle in a substantially horizontal position in a body of liquid; by providing a vacuum in the container and inverting it with the mouth thereof extending into a body of liquid, or by the use of a pulsating pump. Of course, any non-refillable container can be refilled by destruction of the closure mechanism, and in many cases heretofore the closure mechanism could actually be rendered useless for its intended purpose and. yet

leave the damage invisible to any but an expert and most careful inspection.

, With the foregoing in mind, it is an important object of the present invention to provide a proprietary container equipped with a stopper 5 construction which effectively prevents refilling the container.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device to render a container non-refillable, the device being so constructed that an 10 injury to the device sufficient to overcome its function is at once revealed to the eye of a most casual inspector.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a stopper construction designed to render a container non-refillable, which construction is in the form of a complete unitary device requiring only insertion and anchoring in the mouth of a container.

A further object of this invention is the p-rovi- 20 sion of a mechanism to render a container nonrefillable, which mechanism automatically and readily adjusts itself for any position of the container.

Also an object of the invention is to provide a stopper mechanism readily attachable to a container to render the latter non-refillable, which mechanism contains the equivalent of a valve which quickly and automatically closes upon a drop in pressure in the container which would be sufi'icient to cause the entrance of liquid into the container if it were not for the valve.

Still another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a mechanism of the character described containing the equivalent of a valve structure, with means weighted to overbalance and close the valve structure when the container is disposed substantially horizontally.

A further feature of the invention resides in the provision of a mechanism of the character described which, while effectively preventing refilling of the container, interferes in no appreciable way with the pouring of the original contents from the container.

Another object of the invention is the provision of stopper mechanism to render a container non-refillable, which mechanism is highly efii- .cient in operation, durable and may be very 50 economically manufactured.

While some of the more salient features, characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been above pointed out, others will become apparent from the following disclosures, 55

taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevational View of a container in the form of a bottle rendered proprietary and non-refillable by a device embodying principles of the present invention, shown in operative association with the bottle;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary central vertical sectional View, with parts in elevation, taken substantially as indicated by the line IIII of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a plan sectional view of the mechanism alone, taken substantially as indicated by the line III-III of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the outer shell only of the mechanism;

Figure 5 is a top plan view of an inside portion of the mechanism;

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the structure seen in Figure 5, with the nozzle element removed;

Figure '7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View, of the same nature as Figure 2, showing the container in inverted pouring position;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view, of the same nature as Figures 2 and '7, showing the container in substantially horizontal position;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary central vertical sectional View, with parts in elevation, illustrating a different form of construction; and

Figure 10 is also a fragmentary vertical sectional view, with parts in elevation, illustrating a different manner of connecting the stopper mechanism to a container.

As shown on the drawings:

At the outset, it will be appreciated that while the present invention is herein shown and described in connection with a container of the nature of a bottle having a hollow neck portion l of less size than the body of the bottle, the stopper mechanism may equally as well be utilized with containers of various sizes and shapes with obvious variations in size and possibly shape of the stopper mechanism. For any type of container, it is only necessary to size and shape the stopper mechanism so that it will fit in proper manner in the mouth of the container.

In the present instance, the illustrated container is the usual form of bottle for an alcoholic beverage, includin a pair of integral annular beads 2 at the mouth end of the neck 9, with the usual rounded annular groove 3 between the beads, as best seen in Figure 10.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention seen in Figures 1 to 8, inclusive, comprises an outer shell preferably made of two initially separate parts. One of these parts is a cap member 4 having an outlet opening of less size than the main part of the member and defined by an upstanding flange 5 for the reception of a 'cork 6 or some other suitable readily removable stopper. The other part of the shell is a body member 7 having an outwardly extending annular flange 8 at the upper end thereof; The lower portion of the cap part i is lock-seamed around the flange 8, as indicated at 9, so as to substantially permanently connect the cap and body to form the complete shell.

The above described shell comprises all of the normally visible parts of the stopper mechanism. All of the operatingelements are enclosed within the shell prior to the lock-seaming operation, so that a compact unitary device is had. It is simply necessary to insert this device in the neck of the bottle and anchor the same in position to effect a closing of the bottle, an operation little if any more diii'icult than the closing of a bottle with any well-known commonly used means. A suitable gasket ED is first placed around the body '3, and when the shell is placed in the neck of the bottle, the gasket will be positioned on top of the upper bead 2 of the bottle neck and under the bead 9 formed by the lock-seaming operation, so as to effectively seal the bottle around the shell. In order to anchor the stopper mechanism in the neck of the bottle, it is simply necessary to drop a band H having an inwardly extending portion l2 to overlie the lock seam 9, and then spin the lower margin of the band into the groove 3 in the bottle neck, as indicated at l3. Any tampering with the band H in order to remove the stopper mechanism will be revealed by a most casual inspection. Once the mechanism is anchored to the bottle, the operating parts contained within the shell permit ready pouring out of the contents with which the bottle had been previously supplied, but effectively prevents re-supplying the bottle with liquid.

The mechanism inside the shell includes a bafiie M provided with an annular series of perforations l5, as best seen in Figure 3. This bafile is disposed on top of the flange 8 of the body 1 and is held securely in position by the lock seam Q, as seen inFigure 2. It will be noted that the central solid portion of this bafile is of a size to completely underlie the outlet opening defined by the flange 5 on the cap part 4, so that the baffle prevents the insertion of an implement through the mouth of the device to the mechanism in the lower part of the shell. The lower end of the shell 7, which is preferably a single piece, is turned inwardly to provide a sloping annular wall it. This end of the shell is also provided with substantially a central outlet opening I! with a diametral bridge 18 or equivalent means extending across the opening. This construction, together with the aforesaid perforated baffle l4, effectively confines the movable parts to be later described within the shell.

Inside the shell is a freely slidable nozzle holder or valve member generally indicated by numeral Hi. This member is preferably fluted lengthwise, as indicated at 2! to provide a plurality of outstanding ridges ZI upon which the member is freely slidable against the inner surface of the shell when the bottle is in tilted position. As will later appear more fully, the flutes 20 also provide air passages to'permit the entrance of air into the bottle when the liquid is being poured out. At the lower end thereof, the member I9 is provided with a dome-like portion 22 which closes off the end except for a depending flange 23 defining an outlet opening. This member I9 is also provided with a transverse slot 24 extending the major distance around the member, and with one or more vertical slots 25 (Figure 5) joining the slot 2 3 to insure a free passage of air from inside the member to the outside thereof.

The fluted member l9 carries a combination nozzle and valve member 26' which is preferably made of a rubbersubstitute or equivalent material, having the elastic qualities of rubber but which is not injured by alcohol and which does not in any manner affect the taste or color of a beverage liquid. As best seen in Figure 2, the nozzle and valve element is of the same general shape as the member l9 near the bottom end, and the lower margin of the element 26 is reversely turned over the outside of the aforesaid flange 23, as indicated at N in Figure 2. The resiliency of the element 2% is sufficient to cause the turned part 21 to frictionally grip the flange Z3 and thereby hold the element 25 in position. The upper end of this element 26 is shaped so as to provide a long narrow portion 28 having a slot 29 therein, which slot is normally maintained closed by the elasticity of the element 26 when the bottle is in nonpouring position. When the bottle is in pouring position, the outgoing liquid forces open the flattened part 28 as seen in Figure 7.

Between the upper end of the holder it and the perforated bafile IS, a weighted baflle 39 is freely disposed and may readily move in either direction within the aforesaid confines. The size of this baffle is such that it cannot fully enter the holder I9 but abuts the fluted portion 29. At the upper end thereof, the baffle 30 is provided with a relatively thin horizontally extending flange iii, of such diameter that the baffle may tilt as indicated in Figure 8. Inside the flange, the baffle is provided with a relatively large outer bore 32 which communicates with a smaller inner bore 33. The wall adjacent the smaller opening 33 is much thicker, as indicated at 34, so as to effectively weight the baffle on the inner side. Of course, this weighting may be done by thickening the wall as illustrated or in any equivalent manner.

In operation, the present invention is extremely simple and effective. Liquid may readily flow out of the bottle through the shell or casing of the stopper mechanism, but the device will defy any attempt to pass liquid in the opposite direction through the shell. Assuming that the bottle has been supplied with liquid and that the shell has been mounted in position in the bottle after filling, as shown in Figure 2, it is simply necessary to remove the closure 6, tip the bottle and pour the contents from it in any well-known manner.

Upon tipping the bottle into a downwardly oblique or completely inverted position, the latter being shown in Figure '7, the weighted baffle 30 comes to rest on the perforated baffle M and the holder l5 rests on the weighted b aille, thereby providing an opening between the turned end of the nozzle 26 and the sloping wall N5 of the body 1. Liquid may flow from the bottle as indicated by the arrows in Figure '7, through the inner part i! of the shell, through the nozzle 26, causing the portion 28 to spread as indicated in Figure *7, through the bore 33, the larger bore 32, the perforations l5 in the baflie M, and out through the flange 5 of the shell. At the same time the liquid is flowing out of the bottle, air obviously must enter the bottle to replace the liquid. Entering air passes through the flange 5, the perforations I5 in the baflie Hi, the bores 32 and 33 of the inner bafiic 3B, and enters the inside of the holder It. The air then leaves the holder through the slots 24 or 25, passes inwardly through the spaces provided by the inner portions of the flute 20, and enters the bottle through the inner opening I! of the shell.

It will be appreciated that in the illustrated showing, the space between the shell and the bottle neck has been somewhat exaggerated to more clearly portray the invention. It will be understood that the shell may intimately fit the mouth of the bottle.

With the bottle in the upright position of Figure 2, if an attempt is made to hold open the flattened portion 28 of the nozzle 26, the only access to this portion is through the perforations [5 in the baffle l4 and the opening 33 in baflie 30. It is practically impossible to thread any form of flexible instrument through these openings and have the instrument reach the centrally disposed part 28 of the nozzle. The flexibility of the nozzle itself keeps the port 29 closed when not in use. The holder l9 falls into its downwardmost position, augmented by the weight of the baffle, and the turned end 21 of the nozzle seats against the sloping wall N5 of the body 1 and effectively prevents the entrance of liquid into the bottle, the parts being so sized that the seating of the portion 27 against the wall 26 is preferably to one side of the opening I1, as indicated at 35 in Figures 2 and 8. In the event an instrument is jammed through the central portion of the baffle it, a most casual inspection, such as a glance into the open end of the bottle, will at once reveal the injury to the bafile Hi. When one looks into the open end of the bottle one is supposed to see a solid, preferably metallic surface, which is the solid portion of the bafile l4, and if one does not see such a surface, it is significant of the fact that the device has been tampered with.

In the event the mouth of the bottle is in downwardly inclined or inverted position, and a vacuum or partial vacuum is. developed within the bottle, the inrush of liquid will strike the dome portion 22 of the holder l9, moving the holder inwardly until a closure 35 is again effected, thus preventing the entrance of liquid into the bottle. The resiliency of the nozzle 26 will maintain the same closed, and if the vacuum is sufficiently strong, the nozzle will be jammed inwardly but prevented from turning inside-out by the bridge H3 at the inner end of the shell.

In the event a pulsating pump is used in an endeavor to successively force spurts of liquid into the bottle, the element l9 will function as a piston in and out with each pulsation, thus preventing filling of the bottle.

An empty bottle will not fill if placed in a liquid bath until it is turned to substantially horizontal position. If a bottle equipped with the present invention is put, mouth down, in a body of liquid, and gradually turned until it is almost in a horizontal position, the thickened portion 34 of the weighted bafiie 30 causes the baflie to tilt inwardly as seen in Figure 8 and thus move the lighter holder i9 rearwardly to effect a valve closure 35. Owing to the fact that the weighted bafile will be resting only on the narrow edge of the flange 3!, just before the container reaches a nearly horizontal position, the tilting action will be immediately effected without any aid from liquid endeavoring to enter the bottle.

From the foregoing examples, it will be apparent that substantially any endeavor to place liquid in the bottle will not be successful, without injury to the bottle or the mechanism, and such injury is at once apparent upon a casual inspection.

In Figure 9, I have shown a slightly modified form of construction. The chief difference between this construction and that previously described resides in the substitution of an element 36 for the cap part 4 of the shell In this instance, a shell body Ia, which may be identical with that previously described, is utilized, and the upper marginal portion of this shell body is locked seamed around the peripheral margin of the perforated baffle M as indicated at 31, to firmly hold this baffle in position for the same function as previously mentioned. The contents of the shell body la are exactly the same in construction and operation as above described.

The top piece 35 may be made of any desirable substance, such as porcelain, for example, and is preferably made of the proper size to seat on the neck of the bottle as indicated at 38. This top piece 35 is provided with a small outer bore 39 which may be closed by a suitable cork or other closure Ea. inner larger bore of suflicient size to receive the upper end or" the shell body la. This is pressed into position well within the top piece and a suitable cement 5B is disposed between the shell body and the inner face of the top piece, this cement being of such a character as to firmly adhere both to metal and porcelain and positively join the parts together. If so desired, a gasket may obviously be used at the region 38 where the top piece rests on the bottle neck.

The entire device may be fully pre-constructed, merely inserted in the bottle in the manner above described and secured to the bottle in substantially the same manner as above described. A collar Ha is used having an inwardly extending portion i2a to overlie a suitable shoulder on the top piece 35, and the lower margin of the collar is spun into the bottle groove 3, as indicated at I300.

In Figure 10, I have illustrated another way of connecting the device shown in Figures 1 to 8, inclusive, in the bottle neck. In this instance, the shell and contents being the same as above described, a gasket M is placed around the body 7 spaced a suitable distance from the lock seam 9. The space between the gasket and lock seam is filled with a suitable cement 32 of the character above mentioned, and the entire device is then pushed into the bottle neck until the lock seam The bore 39 communicates with an is substantially flush with the mouth of the bottle. After the cement hardens the device is firmly anchored in position and functions in the same manner above explained.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that I have provided a proprietary container equipped with novel means for rendering the container nonrefillable, the means being efiective in operation, durable, easily attachable to the container, and may be manufactured extremely economically.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction may be varied through a Wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and I, there: fore, do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than is necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. A device for association with a container to render the container non-refillable, including a casing open at each end, the inner end portion being shaped to define a seat adjacent the opening, a valve member including a hollow element slidable in said casing, and a self-closing resilient nozzle carried by said element and having a portion thereof turned over the end of said element to seat against the inner end portion of said shell around the opening.

2. A device for association with a container to render the container non-refillable, including a casing open at each end, a hollow element slidable in said casing, and a resilient self-closing nozzle carried in said element and having a portion thereof turned over the inner end of said element to seat against the casing over the opening at an end thereof.

WILLIAM G. PANCOAST 

